C.O. Hilley Employee of the Year

GAYLORD — Law enforcement runs in the family of this year’s Otsego County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Employee of the Year Corrections Officer Kent Hilley.

When Hilley was a boy, his father, Eric Rusak, a retired Michigan State Police (MSP) post commander, transferred from the Traverse City post to Gaylord where he served as commander until his retirement in 1989.

Hilley, 37, a 1990 graduate of Gaylord High School, took corrections course work in Grand Traverse County and has worked in the county’s corrections department since 1996.

“I’ve always enjoyed the law enforcement field. I just really enjoy helping people,” Hilley said of his chosen profession.

OCSD Sheriff Jim McBride, who chose Hilley for this year’s honor, had nothing but praise for the job Hilley has done for the past 13 years as a corrections officer. “One thing about Kent is that over the years he has always volunteered for any new projects at the jail and I have never known him to have a bad word for anyone. He is a good employee. It’s very refreshing.”

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Hilley and his wife, Stacey, continue to live in Gaylord with their three children, Allison; 11, Andrew; 9, and Austin; 2, and another child on the way.

The employee of the year said the best part of his job is the people he comes into contact with through his job, including other members of local law enforcement.

“I enjoy helping people and I think that’s one reason why I enjoy law enforcement; it gives you the opportunity to help people, whether its the prisoners we have here or helping their families get through what is usually a difficult time for them.”

While he enjoys the work he does as a corrections officer, Hilley said the high rate of recidivism among many of the prisoners at the jail, can be discouraging.

“The problem is aggravated by drug and alcohol abuse and we unfortunately see many of the same faces over and over. It’s (recidivism) the biggest problem facing law enforcement and the corrections department.”

Having spent 13 years working at the Otsego County Jail, Hilley has seen the chronic jail overcrowding issue and the general deteriorating conditions of the existing facility firsthand.

“We definitely need a new jail or updating and renovation of the current facility. That would be a real bonus for the people who work here and the people who are housed here.”

Hilley said he was taken by surprise when Sheriff McBride announced his choice for employee of the year earlier this month.

“It’s quite and honor. I have truly been humbled by it.”

When he’s not on the clock at the county jail, Hilley said he enjoys spending time with his family and now that his first two children are older he said he especially enjoys passing on his love of outdoor activities — specifically hunting and fishing — to them.